Location: 28 km (17 mi) North of Silifke Map
Open: 9am- 6pm daily
Uzuncaburç, located in the Silifke district of Mersin Province, Turkey, is an archaeological site encompassing the ancient city of Diocaesarea (also spelled Diokaisareia), historically tied to the Olba Kingdom. Known as the "Tall Bastion" due to its prominent Hellenistic tower, Uzuncaburç is a well-preserved remnant of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations, set amidst the rugged Taurus Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,200–1,300 meters.
Uzuncaburç’s history spans over 2,500 years, with roots potentially
in the Hittite period, when the site may have been considered sacred.
During the Hellenistic period (4th–2nd century BCE), it served as the
religious center of the Olba Kingdom, a temple state under the Seleucid
Empire. The site, then known as Olba’s sacred precinct, was dedicated to
Zeus Olbios and possibly the Luwian storm god Tarhu(nt), whose cult
influenced the later Zeus worship. The Teukrid dynasty governed this
temple state, which controlled the region around Silifke and Erdemli.
In 72 CE, under Roman Emperor Vespasian, the sacred precinct was
separated from Olba (located 4 km east) and established as an autonomous
city named Diocaesarea (“City of God-Emperor”). Granted the right to
mint its own coins, Diocaesarea flourished, with new Roman structures
like colonnaded streets and monumental gates. With the spread of
Christianity in the 5th century, many Hellenistic temples, including the
Temple of Zeus, were converted into churches, and the city became a
bishopric. After the Arab conquest of Cilicia in the 7th–8th centuries,
the city was abandoned.
During the Ottoman period, a new
settlement emerged east of the ruins, named Uzuncaburç after the
Hellenistic tower. This settlement, initially called Recepli, grew into
a village, and by 1992, Uzuncaburç was declared a township (belde). A
2014 administrative reform reclassified it as a neighborhood (mahalle)
of Silifke. Today, the archaeological site and modern village coexist,
blending ancient ruins with traditional village life.
Uzuncaburç’s architecture reflects a fusion of Hellenistic, Roman,
and Byzantine influences, set on a flat plateau in a mountainous region.
The city is organized around two intersecting colonnaded streets, with
structures showcasing Corinthian and Doric styles. Key architectural
characteristics include:
Hellenistic Design: Structures like the
Temple of Zeus and the high tower feature precise stonework and
peripteral (column-surrounded) plans, typical of Seleucid architecture.
Roman Urban Planning: Colonnaded streets, monumental gates, and a
theater reflect Roman civic engineering, with an emphasis on grandeur
and functionality.
Rock-Cut Necropolis: Thousands of tombs carved
into the rocky valley highlight the scarcity of arable land, a practical
adaptation to the terrain.
Byzantine Modifications: Temples converted
into churches show structural changes, such as added apses and walled-in
columns.
The site’s preservation is remarkable, with many structures
standing for over 2,500 years despite earthquakes and natural disasters
that devastated other Anatolian cities.
Uzuncaburç boasts a range of well-preserved monuments, each
reflecting a distinct historical period. Below are the primary
structures:
1. Temple of Zeus Olbios
Location: Central, along
the colonnaded street.
Description: Built around 300 BCE, likely by
Seleukos I Nikator, this peripteral temple is surrounded by 36
Corinthian columns (24 still standing), each intricately carved with
reliefs. Measuring approximately 26x15 meters, it is one of Anatolia’s
oldest and largest Zeus temples. The cella (inner chamber) was
destroyed, and in the 5th century, the temple was converted into a
church with added apses and walled columns.
Significance: A symbol of
Hellenistic religious devotion, it reflects the syncretism of Greek Zeus
with the Luwian Tarhu(nt). Its conversion to a church highlights the
region’s Christian transition.
Source:
2. Hellenistic High
Tower
Location: Northeast of the site.
Description: A five-story,
16x13x23-meter tower, built in the 3rd century BCE by Tarkyares. Used as
a residence, treasury, and refuge during attacks, it features internal
compartments and was part of a signaling network using polished shields.
Significance: The tower, the city’s namesake, symbolized Uzuncaburç’s
autonomy and defensive capabilities. Its image appeared on Diocaesarea’s
coins.
3. Roman Theater
Location: East, near the modern
village.
Description: Constructed in the 2nd century CE under Marcus
Aurelius and Lucius Verus, this 2,500–3,000-seat theater is
well-preserved, with a stage and seating area. Its high capacity,
despite the city’s remote location, underscores Uzuncaburç’s importance.
Significance: The theater hosted cultural and civic events, reflecting
Roman urban life. It is currently closed for restoration (as of 2025).
4. Temple of Tyche
Citation:
Location: End of the colonnaded
street.
Description: Built in the late 1st century CE by nobles
Oppius and Kyria, this temple is elevated on five 6-meter granite
columns with Corinthian capitals. An inscription confirms its dedication
to Tyche, the goddess of fortune.
Significance: The temple’s
construction by local elites highlights civic pride and wealth during
the Roman period.
5. Diocaesarea Victory Gate
Location: East
of the city.
Description: A Roman gate from the 1st–2nd century CE,
supported by five 7-meter Corinthian columns with a 1-meter diameter.
Consoles on the columns once held small statues.
Significance: The
gate served as a ceremonial entrance, symbolizing Roman authority and
the city’s prestige.
6. Main Gate
Location: Northwest.
Description: A triple-arched gate with one large central and two smaller
side entrances, well-preserved from the Roman period.
Significance:
It controlled access to the city and showcased Roman architectural
sophistication.
7. Colonnaded Streets
Location: Two
intersecting streets, east-west and north-south.
Description: Dating
to the 1st century CE, these streets were lined with columns (now mostly
fallen) and connected key monuments like the Zeus Temple, Tyche Temple,
and theater. The east-west street begins at the Victory Gate, passing a
nymphaeum (monumental fountain).
Significance: The streets organized
the city’s layout, facilitating commerce and processions, typical of
Roman urban design.
8. Necropolis
Location: Northern valley.
Description: Spanning Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, the
necropolis contains thousands of rock-cut tombs and sarcophagi with
intricate carvings. The rocky terrain necessitated carving tombs rather
than burials.
Significance: The necropolis reflects the city’s
religious and artistic traditions, with each tomb showcasing unique
craftsmanship.
9. Pyramidal Mausoleum
Location: South, on a
hill.
Description: A 15-meter-high, 5.5x5.5-meter Doric mausoleum
with a pyramid roof, likely from the Hellenistic period. It is
attributed to a Seleucid or Olba ruler.
Significance: Its unique
architecture distinguishes it in the region, reflecting elite burial
practices.
10. Churches
Location: Scattered, including the
converted Zeus Temple, Stefanos Church (near the tower), a necropolis
church, and a theater-adjacent church.
Description: Built or adapted
in the 5th century, these churches reflect the Christianization of
Diocaesarea. Few traces remain of the smaller churches.
Significance:
They mark Uzuncaburç’s role as a bishopric during the Byzantine period.
Uzuncaburç is a testament to the region’s layered history:
Religious Center: As the Olba Kingdom’s sacred precinct, it was a hub
for Zeus worship, possibly rooted in Luwian traditions. Its later
Christianization reflects religious transitions.
Cultural Syncretism:
The site blends Luwian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine elements, seen
in inscriptions linking Tarhu(nt) to Zeus and the adaptation of pagan
temples into churches.
Roman Autonomy: Diocaesarea’s coin-minting
rights and monumental architecture highlight its regional importance
under Roman rule.
Preservation: Unlike many Anatolian cities
destroyed by natural disasters, Uzuncaburç’s structures remain intact,
offering a rare glimpse into ancient urban life.
Modern Legacy: The
coexistence of the ancient site and village, with restored Yörük houses,
creates a unique cultural landscape, blending antiquity with rural
traditions.
Uzuncaburç is accessible and increasingly promoted as a tourism
destination, thanks to efforts by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality.
Key aspects include:
Location and Access: 30 km north of Silifke
and 103–111 km from Mersin, reachable via the Mersin-Antalya highway
(D.400) with a turn north at Limonlu or from Silifke through villages
like Demircili and İmamlı. Buses run from Silifke three times daily.
Visiting Hours and Fees: Open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (April 15–October
15), with slight variations. Admission is approximately 6 TL (2018
rate). The theater is closed for restoration as of 2025.
Exploration:
The site takes 2–3 hours to explore, covering the Zeus Temple, tower,
gates, and necropolis. The scenic drive through Taurus valleys enhances
the experience. Informational signage and improved roads aid navigation.
Highlights: The Zeus Temple’s towering columns, the Hellenistic tower,
and the necropolis’s rock-cut tombs are standout features. The village
offers traditional houses, a mosque, and a square, adding cultural
depth.
Activities: Guided tours, photography, and hiking in the
surrounding mountains are popular. The site’s winter beauty, with
snow-covered ruins, draws visitors.
Challenges: Limited maintenance
has been noted, and the theater’s closure may disappoint some. The
remote location requires planning, especially in winter.
Since 2020, excavations led by Dr. Okan Özdemir and Prof. Ümit Aydınoğlu have focused on preservation and restoration, aiming to make Uzuncaburç a “universal archaeological site” and tourism hub. Infrastructure improvements, including roads, signage, and landscaping, have enhanced accessibility. The restoration of three Yörük houses in the village supports a sustainable model, integrating the ancient city and modern settlement for future generations. Social media campaigns and events further promote the site’s cultural richness.